New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-31
tDR., SMITH STRIKES BACK
GOVERNOR HILL TO TAKE THE BLAME.

subject has been nandled Dy certain DeMocrauo
newspapers to whom the occasion seems suitable one
for making political capital Of which that party at pres
snt stands 80 sorey in need Thus far Health Officer
Smith subnitted almost in silence TO all crtlcisms
heaped upon him. net attempting 10 correct the
Embellishments that have boon made about hi treat
mont OF the scourge the matter has attracted such
attention and been grossly misrepresented that
yesterday Dr. Smith deemed 1t proper TO make such
statement OF facts will Justly convey the truth OF the
situation
II has been stated and 1t Is admitted that something
was and is wrong So far the Quarantine OF observs
ton Is concerned this wron. has long existed The DIN
culties under which the Health officer has laoorsd and
which to considerable Xteu have been shared by the
Commissioners OF Quarantine, cannot be appreciated
without reference 10 them The Apprehension tha'
existed in the mind OF the Health Oficer when chelerS
Invaded France in 1884 that might develop among m
migrant passengers induced him TO call the attention OF
the Commissioners OF Quarantine TO the need or extern
nve repairs and improvements The Coms"sishers
were without funds for such purposes early IN inc
summer year the attention OF the state Beard OF
Health was called 10 the incomplete and dapdatea con-
dition Of the Quarantine OF Observation at Hoffman
Island for the reception and OF cholera infected pas
penger. The Board visited the "Quarsntlne Is
lands" in July. The result OF that inspection OF Hof
man Island the unanimous expression OF surprise at
It's incomplete and dapeat condition lor the purposes
TOR which 1t was Intended
Later in the same year when tho Health officer saw
Nat cholera counting its victims by tsas OF thou-
lands In and Italy he called on August 1851
meeting OF representatives. of the Traus Atlantic steam
,hip Lines and Informed them OF the nmnence o. inc
aanger in consequence OF the unprepared condition OF
The Quarantine Of Observation The result OF this meet
ing was that the majority of the steamship lines com
posing the North Atlantic steam Traffic conference
voluntarily advanced the SUN OF $3.50 ~. when
amount expended in repairs upon the rsof. steam
and pipes and tanks. and suitable plumbing for
ux closets the north building upon Hoffman, Island
One Of the three buildings thus placed in condition
Tor service though from complete for such purposes
ONLY PARTIAL REPAIRS AT HOFFMAN ISLAND.
Notwithstanding the partial repairs made at Hoffman
by aid Of the steamship com7a MES 1t was s
In such condition that the Commissioners of Quarantine
their TO the Legislature under ate OF February
J. 1885 made use OF the following language: Tho
failure of the appropriation for repairs to Holman
Island babe fsr to lea 10 the most serious smbarra's
ments Hssnucn tho building, thereon were not sahit
able for the purposes for which they were bult VIZ.
hospital OF observation" An Appropriation for slch
needed repairs. amounting 10 the sum OF 5000 hsl
been by the Legs sture OF lss4 b was vetoed o
the Governor II for this reason that the agents o.
the steamship lines were asked to consider the necsss-
ties of the case.
Quarantine there ought 10 be the sum OF $4,000
expended Hoffman Island. and on necessary repairs
buildings in order 10 the property Of the
State a. has been practically ritaout repairs Tor some
years" This report was presented 10 the Legislature
with the report of the Commissioners OF Quarantine
but no provision was made for tue needs repairs
nous consrHi Of the Legislature 1857 needed
pairs Hoffman Isaud was also veioe by the Govern
or appropriation by the Legislature Tor necesarv re
pairs the Hospital ship Illinois shared tue -ame fate
1t less say that mad those appropriations been
approve tho Executive. the Quarantine Commission
would have bean far better equipped TO COMBAT me
scourge which been mere for some weoks me SINK
in. condition the hospital ship nsis, w,ch the lAw
required should be anchored in the over Fay was sch
not therefore, been of tho very great service which IN
the present emerseney II might naye fer ysssc
from suspected ports The sums asked Tor ny we to
was necessary to put tac hospital Of observation In
condition suited the safety and comfort OF detained
passengers. or 70 lessen the dincutes o. the Health
officer in his efforts TO protect tic public health Yet
even these were denied
STAMPING OUT THE DISEASE READILY.
The Alesia. passengers landed upon Hoffman
Island on the eve ing OF September 20 The last OF
cholera among the passengers OF that ship. with
ception developed during tho right OF October y or
after the steam pumps were rendered effective
for securing suitable water supply for sanitary pur-
poses Under tue circumstances and in the face of all
the difficulties noted the success OF stamping out the
disease within seven days fran the time supply NJ
water secured fairly sufficient for sanitary purposes
eaSnot justly 10 considered a. less than aug
sufficient reply and Iebnke 10 tie sensational
statements and criticisms which have been 81 freely IN
1omraiu, has been made that to these islands
friend. Of The detained imnigrsS,. i. false It
would have been dangerous 10 undertake YET ne pnpc
was informed IN Ia, Word o. sunday tha III me lace
Of strict rule. to tho contrary pres reporter made nj,
way sgreputen'ly TO HOLMAN l'%ui 'net ana ming .o9
with the lulngtants theie det~u'u an ppI-nt a"~
of the conditions uhlcn could he brought
! l
false beginning to end But If 10 were true Ger,
talnIy TIE newspaper which wo"il oncsaras. >,n Az
plague brought up 10 til" city ~ such meth
i"ai aud in no consistent VITA the dsma,ds Of
Journals enterprise But there vas no such 'rce~,i'Y
From the very the Health officer has afforded o-
lions Of Hoffman Island, well ss the methods en-
poyed for The stamping ont OF the disease
CONVINCING ANSWERS PRESENTED.
For these misrepresentation only BRIEF answer needs
tobe made.
Whatever work bas been performed by i'onsrans has
s.her Gosn p.i for by d. s' or % on
they required to wa,s or BATH. ,ner Ison' yics
nsrciotns 6s.a disin''c-d by steam he.' in a
s SSt I p2tas Of iaor s9a ~
The to The Island rms duty performed
armed w4tohmsn VINO have uaIroied the island by
The insricisncy Of tn. "rownost patrol service re-
Police that The unnece.,ary ant It
Withdrawn one man op the s-nd Is worth half dozen
cr!.d, that no asmn, Vas mad int, to ayse MINE the
s..d into accord ce.uInss. and santry
condition divide AMI since kept 40 iur her DIVISION
could f'r want Of separate rooms or PAIt'lor9
mon. E~ch Individual family group has ITS own dishes
@9i @.ga s.., % a, flag,
From to- SgI' eT e:Gh % MITES. "sd ~
all whom th..e In qler.n;. came gp.n the island
= The which properly flushed AID trained
E"riS 6av. paid ami Who Immediately
bs. never 5oes probability hat the cholera
Honpan sand be bonr TO tho CITY under the Pres
cannot be said mat the exposure OF m
removal 10 tho island was not Increased
their transfer Let th1>e answer
responsible for the condition OF Holman
JsIanL, the Quarantine Of Observation.
CHOLERA OK TIE BRIIANNIA.
sufficient for tho present that IN the face
OF multiplied iuconveniences and eubarrdssnents, In
the face OF all this alleged incompetsscy Of treatment
mon the part OF Health Officer sRth tho cholera plague
has been o1ectuallv stamped ont upon Holman
island There Is not today case OF cholera there
Oil hat herr
from the Alesas passengers. Something crcdabe, II
not has, therefore, bssh plshed IN 'le
direction staying the scOurgo and renewing INC PuOc
mind Of grave apprehension .,...
Tho Same TRADE of abuse has been begun against
The Istn officer account OF the prose ace OF colcra
On the Britannia aud us treatment The hi't conpHuhs
fhat this shin was unreasopaJy detained upon mere
.msni.inz rhsre WIZ eneryeuc drmamd- mAdo 70 r0-